While there was no public opposition voiced in the meetings leading up to the school board’s decision concerning a drug testing pilot program, parent Rick Markle said he strongly disagrees with the board’s decision to approve the program last month. Thursday, during their board meeting, Markle claimed the program steps on his toes as a parent and violates his daughter’s right to privacy.

Those concerned about the new graduation requirements may find some solace Thursday when the Shelby County Board of Education meets for their regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. at Wright Elementary School, 500 Rocket Lane.

John Leeper, Director of Innovation and College and Career Readiness for the district, will present an overview of the Petition for Graduation, which will provide a breakdown of a different pathways students may pursue if they are unable to achieve the district’s new graduation standards.

In 2015, you would be hard-pressed to find a clichéclassroom with a teacher standing at a blackboard, monotonously repeating a textbook lesson.

Educators now understand that students learn best through collaboration, group work and hands-on lessons.

To support this innovative method of learning, schools across the nation are tossing out the pencils, papers, textbooks and folders and upgrading to tech-friendly classrooms, integrating 1:1 technology initiatives.

The Shelby County Board of Education heard the concern of a Shelby County High School student’s father, John Masters, during their public comments portion of their meeting Thursday regarding the district’s new standards for college and career readiness for the 2015-16 school year.

“They have to pass the ACT (American College Testing) test for college and career readiness, that’s a requirement from KDE [the Kentucky Department of Education]. My concern is the ACT test was not designed for that purpose.”

As the doors to schools reopen, gates to theme parks across the nation generally close. Summer break is discouraging for some kids but it can be a major financial burden for many businesses that depend on the revenue of summer vacationers and the employment of students.

A bill headed to the senate looks to rectify that by extending summer break.

Katie Fussenegger, executive director of the Shelby County Tourism & Visitors Bureau, said she sees a decline in tourism once schools reopen.

If you often find yourself inconvenienced by traffic along U.S. 60 at Shelby County High School, you may be glad to hear that a solution is in the works.

The Shelby County Board of Education will consider allowing the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to purchase a small portion of their property and grant a temporary construction easement at Thursday’s regularly scheduled meeting at Shelby County High School, 1701 Frankfort Road, Shelbyville. The property is part of the state’s planned expansion for the road.